The SPE ANTEC technical conference covered key emerging electronic, medical, and alternative energy plastics technology developments. Genestar, a proprietary high-heat resistant polyamide resin developed by Kuraray is benefiting from the shift to lead-free soldering in electronic devices. Thermx PCT, Ticona’s innovative family of thermoplastic polyester resins, is particularly well suited for electrical/electronic applications. Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Xtel XE3200NA PPS, developed for use in automotive high-temperature wire and cable applications is meeting the wire industry’s high performance design challenges with several environmental benefits. The Stanyl polyamide 46 line from DSM Engineering Plastics has been expanded with a high-flow series called Stanyl Super Flow targeted at the mini-connector industry. BASF’s Ultradur High Speed PBT is also finding favor in the electronic components industry. Cambridge Polymer Group and the Massachusetts General Hospital have patented innovative CIMA (Cold Irradiated Mechanically Annealed) highly crosslinked polyethylene (PE) technology for hip inserts with no residual free radicals. Artimplant has developed a degradable polyurethaneurea, Artelon, a unique patented biomaterial that acts as a temporary support for healing tissue in various medical applications. Precision Extrusion extrudes LCP tubing using proprietary rotating extrusion die technology that specialty tailors wall thickness and tensile strength. In wind energy, the trend from Vestas is to larger lighter blades to capture more wind and lower rotational inertia. In solar energy DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions is developing TFSC (thin film solar cells) that may be either rigid or flexible.